Numbers 23:27–24:13

27 And Balak said unto Balaam, iCome, I pray thee, I will bring thee unto another place; peradventure it will please God that thou mayest curse me them from thence. 28 And Balak brought Balaam unto the top of kPeor, that looketh ltoward Jeshimon. 29 And Balaam said unto Balak, mBuild me here seven altars, and prepare me here seven bullocks and seven rams. 30 mAnd Balak did as Balaam had said, and offered a bullock and a ram on every altar.

24 And when Balaam saw that it pleased the Lord to bless Israel, he went not, as at aother times, †to seek for enchantments, but he set his face toward the wilderness. 2 And Balaam lifted up his eyes, and he saw Israel babiding in his tents according to their tribes; and cthe spirit of God came upon him. 3 And he took up his parable, and said,

dBalaam the son of Beor hath said,

And the man †whose eyes are open hath said:

4  He hath said, which heard the words of God,

Which saw the vision of the Almighty,

eFalling into a trance, but having his eyes open:

5  How goodly are thy tents, O Jacob,

And thy tabernacles, O Israel!

6  As the valleys are they spread forth,

As gardens by the river’s side,

fAs the trees of lign aloes gwhich the Lord hath planted,

And as cedar trees beside the waters.

7  He shall pour the water out of his buckets,

And his seed shall be hin many waters,

And his king shall be higher than iAgag,

And his kkingdom shall be exalted.

8  lGod brought him forth out of Egypt;

He hath as it were the strength of an unicorn:

He shall meat up the nations his enemies,

And shall nbreak their bones,

And opierce them through with his arrows.

9  pHe couched, he lay down as a lion,

And as a great lion: who shall stir him up?

qBlessed is he that blesseth thee,

And cursed is he that curseth thee.

10 And Balak’s anger was kindled against Balaam, and he rsmote his hands together: and Balak said unto Balaam, sI called thee to curse mine enemies, and, behold, thou hast altogether blessed them these three times. 11 Therefore now flee thou to thy place: tI thought to promote thee unto great honour; but, lo, the Lord hath kept thee back from honour. 12 And Balaam said unto Balak, Spake I not also to thy messengers which thou sentest unto me, saying, 13 uIf Balak would give me his house full of silver and gold, I cannot go beyond the commandment of the Lord, to do either good or bad wof mine own mind; but what the Lord saith, that will I speak?